have to settle for that for right now. What are they?”
“Since this happened before 5:30, I'm guessing you haven't had any dinner. You missed the wonderful cuisine our cafeteria sent to all our overnight guests while you were with me in the surgical suite, but if you'd like I can call down and have something sent up for you.”
“A doctor with a sense of humor. Cool,” she said with a grin. “So what are my choices; jello or pudding?”
“This hospital keeps up on the latest trends. You could also have yogurt.” After they both had a bit of a laugh he got more serious. “I do want you to keep it light this evening since you just had surgery, but tomorrow you can go back to a regular diet as long as you're not having any nausea from the anesthesia. I'll see what they can find for you downstairs. If you're hungry maybe I can find a turkey sandwich to go with your pudding.”
“That actually sounds good. I forgot to each lunch today.”
“You forgot?”
“Yes. I got busy and never thought about it until it was almost 4:00. It was too late then.”
Nick frowned. “Maybe I'll have to have the dietitian come talk to you while you're here about the importance of not skipping meals.”
Kara looked at him for several moments. He looked very serious. “I just skipped one lunch, for heaven's sake!”
“So it's never happened before?”
“Well,” she stammered, “maybe once or twice.”
“How often do you skip lunch?”
“What? I don't know. Not often.” For some reason the stern expression on his face had her making a full admission. “Maybe once a week or so.”
“That's not good for you, Kara. Especially for you. You look like you could stand to put a few pounds on that tiny little body of yours. I don't want to dwell on that, however. Just be sure to eat healthy meals.” Before she had a chance to object, he went on. “The other thing I wanted to suggest is that you call and let someone know you're here. You blacked out at the accident scene, and the EMS people said you never came to on the way here. The nurse said you didn't have a contact person listed in your wallet that she saw, so no one's been notified that you're here. Is there someone — a husband or boyfriend — that's worried about you.”
“No, just my cat. She's probably getting hungry. I'll call my neighbor and ask Annie to feed her. Do you know where my phone is?
He pulled it out of his white coat pocket and held it up. When she looked at him accusingly, he explained his actions. “These have a way of coming up missing from accident scenes, so I put it in my pocket for safe keeping, to be sure you got it back.”
“Thank you,” she said.
“Not a problem,” he assured her. “No husband or boyfriend?”
“No,” she said hesitantly.
He punched some numbers into her phone before handing it to her. “I put my cell phone number in under Nick, just in case you need anything.” He smiled as he gave her phone to her. “I'm Nick Sherman, by the way.” He held his hand out to her.
She reached out and shook it. “Kara Kerrington. Nice to meet you, Dr. Sherman.”
“Nick.”
“Okay. Nick.”
“I'll let you get some rest now and see if I can get you some dinner.”
“Will you be back in later tonight?”
He'd turned and started for the door, but her question stopped him. “Do you want me to, or do you want to rest?”
“I'd like to talk a few minutes, if you have the time.”
“Then I'll be back. You rest now.”
“Okay,” she said, yawning. “I am kind of sleepy.”
“Anesthesia will do that to you,” he said with a chuckle before he left.
Kara closed her eyes and thought about Dr. Nick Sherman. She wanted to talk to him about the accident. He didn't look the same here as she remembered from there. Of course, there she was probably somewhat in shock, and she was in pain, and she admitted she'd been knocked out, was temporarily unconscious.
She didn't remember him looking as handsome as he does now. He was a tall man, over six feet, she was sure, and built more like an athlete than a doctor. She had to smile at that comparison. She'd always pictured a doctor as an old short, fat man. Dr. Nick Sherman was definitely not that. And she definitely didn't remember his sexy smile at the accident. Now, the dark blond hair and blue eyes, she must have been in a lot of pain to not notice those.
She was thinking back to the accident when she drifted off to sleep. When she woke Nick was sitting in a chair next to her bed, while the nurse, Stella, was checking her IV. She looked over at Nick, who smiled at her. “How are you feeling?”
“Better,” she said after several moments. “My head doesn't hurt as much.”
“That's good. Any pain from your foot?”
She shook her head. “No, not really.” After a moment she added, “And it wasn't even painful when I shook my head just now.”
“I'm glad to hear that. I brought you some dinner. Are you hungry?”
“Yes, I am,” she admitted. “But first—” She paused and glanced at Stella, who was checking her blood pressure. She thought a moment. “Yes, dinner sounds terrific, once the nurse is done.”
Nick saw her hesitancy, and walked over to look at Kara's chart. “Everything looks good, Stella. Anything you want me to take note of?”
“No, her vitals are good.”
“All right, good. I'm going to stay and visit a few minutes and check her foot. I'll be here if she needs any help with her dinner, and I'll call you if I need anything for her foot.”
“Okay, very good, Dr. Sherman.” Stella gave Kara a final instruction. “Remember to push this button if you need anything, my dear.” She turned and left.
Nick waited until Stella was out of hearing distance, then moved closer to Kara and again spoke quietly. “Okay, what did you want to say or ask this time?”
Kara giggled. “You have a good bedside manner, Dr. Sherman.”
“Nick. Thank you. What do you want to talk about?”
“What kind of car do you drive?”
Nick's eyebrows shot up and he studied her a minute. “A black Lexus SUV.”
She nodded, and paused a moment. She looked at him and quietly asked, “Do you have a yellow Mustang?”
“No.”
He watched her as her head dropped. A couple of tears fell from her eyes, and he had to listen carefully
